Warfarin needed

I am not a pacemaker recipient (yet), my question is will I also be using Warfarin when do go to a pacemaker? I am a bradycardia patient.

6 Comments

Coumadin

by jvaltos - 2010-03-19 02:03:04

Not many implanting physicians would consider routinely placing patients on coumadin after a pacemaker unless there was another compelling reason.

If you had atrial fibrillation or a blood clot in your arm, then it would be possible, but not typical.

Good luck with the bradycardia pacing.
JV

Blood is NOT Watery on Coumadin

by agilitydog - 2010-03-19 05:03:33

Coumadin is an anticoagulant. Please don't use the term "blood-thinner." The blood does not change viscosity (get thinner or thicker) when on an anticoagulant. Your blood is not watery from using coumadin!

Coumandin/warfarin does not prevent the blood from clotting, it merely slows the clotting. Your blood WILL clot, just not as quickly. If this were not true, then I'd have bled to death from the tiny scratch I got from smacking a door frame with my hand. Not gonna happen.

Sorry dears, but this misconception is a pet peeve of mine.



Pet Peeve

by lenora - 2010-03-19 06:03:53

I personally can't stand the "rat poison" business. I'm not a rat and it hasn't poisoned me yet!

probably not

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-19 07:03:21

Simply having a pm is not usually a reason to be on blood thinners. Flamingo has afib, that's a reason to be on them. They're usually prescribed when you're a clot or stroke risk. Having a pm alone for bradycardia is not a clot/stroke risk.

Warfarin and PM

by ccallahan - 2010-03-19 08:03:09

The others are right. I have Postural Othostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and have had for 8 years. They say it may have caused my PE in June of 2009. I died and came back for some more fun with you all. I received my PM due to the my heart stopping due to the POTS and passing out causing constant injuries. The only reason they have me on warfarin and lovenox is for the PE and some slight issues with the POTS which they are taking care of with minor tweeks every few weeks on the PM. You do not have to go on warfarin unless you have a clottnig problem or if your physician feels you may have a chance to get clots. A PM is not just cause. I am sure I can say you will have a successful surgery and will be on the road to recovery soon to join us with our discussions and tell us your experiences. And yes, you are right agilitydog, your blood is not thinned and you still have clots. You also need to realize though that blood thinning is the common term used by even physicians and please do not take offense to us that use that term. But technically blood thinning does not always have to do with meaning watery. It can also mean free of thicker bodies in the blood, by having fewer clots, so the term is technically still right. Your body will always produce clots. Warfarin does help you in reducing your clotting rate, thus resulting in fewer clots and making the blood thinner. just changes the rate at which you clot and your INR results can tell you how fast this is. If you have a home monitor it is even easier and quicker than having you blood tested by someone else. Once again, Good Luck on your pending surgery, I will say a prayer for you.

Rev. C. Callahan, D.D.

I'm don't

by heartu - 2010-03-19 08:03:10

I have 3rd degree heartblock and am not on coumadin or warfarin. However, I do take 1- 81mg baby aspirin daily. BTW, I am 53.

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